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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be fuming that I can't get a GP's appointment this morning?

312 replies

MintyChapstick · 15/02/2016 10:26

I'm so angry and upset.

Since before Christmas I have felt that my mental health has been declining. Feeling panicky, wired, on edge and its now got to the point where I am no longer sleeping properly. Keeping waking up very early even on the weekend, with this overwhelming feeling of doom and terrior. I have been medicated before, I know this will make me feel better but I cant get a fucking GP'sappointment, they only have one doctor in the surgery you see despite covering a massive area and you can longer book an appointment in advance.

There is no drop in service like there is in other surgeries, you have to ring on the morning and get an appointment like that. I rang at 8.30 on the dot the surgery was still closed, a minute later I tried again engaged, I finally managed to get through at 8.36 and all the appointments had gone. How is it possible for every single appointment between 9am and 1pm when they close for lunch to have gone in six minutes?

I had psyched myself up to see a doctor this morning, I could have started my medication today and it would have been in my system by next week when I go back to work. I know from the last time that it makes you worse before it makes you better. I've been in tears all morning, I need my medication! The receptionist was nice, but sort of non plussed, I guess it's not hear fault but I don't believe there are no appointments. In fact I can just picture the fucking waiting room now, elderly people who are there several times a week with bunions and in growing toe nails (we all know the sort) clogging it up whilst people who are really unwel can't get seen.

How they fuck is this right?

OP posts:
BeaufortBelle · 15/02/2016 14:39

Phone them back and ask for an emergency phone call. Explain you are suffering with MH. Explain you aren't rational and need help.

Our surgery advises we go in person if we can't get through on the phone.

KitKat1985 · 15/02/2016 14:51

Thebiscuitindustry to add to my statement about fines for missed appointments, I do think a fine should be at discretion of the practice manager. Obviously there may be times where a appointment was missed through no fault of the patient (e.g, patient with dementia, or person has an accident on way to surgery etc). But I reckon at least half of the missed appointments are just missed because people can't be bothered to go / haven't written the appointment down and forget to go. In my surgery of about 300 missed appointments a month, if let's say half of those people were fined £25 (let's assume the other half had valid reasons) that works out £3750 a month for surgery. That money could cover the cost of another GP making more appointments available for those who need them.

Schwabischeweihnachtskanne · 15/02/2016 14:54

The NHS is broken and has lead to a weird attitude where people are expected to be grateful to be able to try to get a doctor's apt even if they can't actually get one, and where doctors are unhealthily revered, as if their time were more important than that of mere mortals and their opinions infallible (lots of threads where people are criticised for asking whether what the doctor ... a human being and as likely to make the odd mistake as any other professional... said or prescribed could actually be right, as if engaging brain with regards to anything a doctor has said is somehow heresy). I really wonder why people are obsessed with declaring the NHS wonderful all the time... Of course the problem is that the government want to bring in something even worse, but there are far better, inclusive national medical systems to copy in Europe...

In Germany I've never, ever not been able to get an on the day apt for a GP - for myself or a child - and never waited more than a couple of weeks maximum for a specialist, and we can swap GPs every day if we want (though it would usually be a bit counter-productive it can be useful) we have the basic state insurance (the same one the govt pays for for you if you are on benefits). Of course we do pay 9% of our taxable salaries every month just for health care, and employers have to pay an additional 6% of the same, for the privilege...) Private insurance would actually be cheaper, but comes with massive pitfalls...

Schwabischeweihnachtskanne · 15/02/2016 14:57

*15% of taxable salary (the 9% is working it out a different way)

didyouwritethe · 15/02/2016 15:18

I think we need to drop the system whereby the GP is the gateway to medical care.

The gateway is blocked anyway.

SoThatHappened · 15/02/2016 15:31

If you have been medicated before....can you not just telephone the surgery, ask to speak to a dr on the telephone and ask that they do a prescription for you today.

GPs are not psychiatrists. A 10 minute appt wouldnt have made you any better. They could have done a prescription with no appt.

I've done that. Rung them up said, my xyz is back again, may i have this and they done it.

SoThatHappened · 15/02/2016 15:32

In my surgery of about 300 missed appointments a month, if let's say half of those people were fined £25 (let's assume the other half had valid reasons) that works out £3750 a month for surgery. That money could cover the cost of another GP making more appointments available for those who need them.

Yes and the costs to administer that system? Letters, demands, etc. An account clerk to chase it? More than £3750 per month.

SoThatHappened · 15/02/2016 15:34

*they have done it. Not they done it. Bloody phone.

Original poster
MintyChapstick · 15/02/2016 15:34

I finally managed to get an appointment this afternoon. The doctor has prescribed me fluexetine which I think is the drug I took the last time. I've taken it just now as that was the time I always used to take it. I feel a little bit weird at the moment but I know this is normal when you first start taking them. I expect to be a bit zombie like for the next few days.

To the people calling me selfish or entitled. I hope to god you don't ever find yourself suffering from MH problems, having that feeling that you are going to snap at any moment. Well actually part of me hopes you do and then maybe you might just get it.

To everyone else, thank you. Flowers.

OP posts:
didyouwritethe · 15/02/2016 15:36

Anyone who can afford it is already using private GPs. They are popping up all over the place.

SoThatHappened · 15/02/2016 15:38

You could just have asked for a phone consultation and to collect the prescription. Just in case you ever need it urgently again.

Hope you're ok now.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 15/02/2016 15:39

The post about senior patients was perhaps badly put, but while they're certainly not alone in this, isn't it true that some can be unwilling to accept things have changed since the days when the nice old family doc was always there if you were ill, sometimes coming to the house twice a day?

My own ex MIL demanded constant home visits, claiming an inability to leave the house despite often being out. Comments about the GP/nurse time this costs others simply caused a petulant strop: "well, lovely doctor x always came, and anyway why shouldn't they do what I want?"

She's apparently still ranting about the (actually very gentle) word the nurse had with her, on arriving to do a blood test and finding her gardening!!! Hmm

Piratepete1 · 15/02/2016 15:40

Minty - rude to the last! Any apology for your hurtful, ageist comments now you've got what you wanted?

SoupDragon · 15/02/2016 15:42

Seriously?? You would actually wish mental health issues into people?!

SoThatHappened · 15/02/2016 15:43

Just seen the old people bit.....wow.

My grandma couldnt get an appointment when she had a uti and they can be dangerous for the elderly.

But glad you feel zoned out and spaced out now.

SoThatHappened · 15/02/2016 15:44

FYI I have suffered from depression and anxiety and self harming horribly for a good few years.

I would never demand I be seen the same day and make snide comments about everyone else who dont deserve appointments.....you have no idea.

Owllady · 15/02/2016 15:45

There seems a lack of empathy re MH on this thread. A common symptom of depression is putting things off until you really have to do it, because you have been filled with dread.

i would see the nurse though OP

as an aside, my GP surgery had a partner leave mid last year and they still havent been able to recruit a replacement :(

Owllady · 15/02/2016 15:48

It must have taken me ages to post that as i x posted with loads inc the op

notamummy10 · 15/02/2016 15:50

Glad you've been seen but all GP surgeries are the same, they only have a certain amount of appointments to give out (even if less if the GPs aren't in). They are oversubscribed and underfunded, my DM works at a local GP Surgery and they are being stretched to their limits: 2 salaried GPs are leaving, the advancing practitioner and a nurse have left as well so they are recruiting for 4 replacements. The problem is the GP practice hasn't got any budget left and are now in the red (first time ever).

I know people are frustrated but think about how the staff feel, all areas of the NHS are under pressure now!

didyouwritethe · 15/02/2016 15:53

They need to stop doing a load of stuff they do, and prioritise.

Bubblesinthesummer · 15/02/2016 16:07

To the people calling me selfish or entitled. I hope to god you don't ever find yourself suffering from MH problems, having that feeling that you are going to snap at any moment. Well actually part of me hopes you do and then maybe you might just get it.

Actually I do and that was quite a snide unalled for post.

I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

GreatFuckability · 15/02/2016 16:07

untreated ingrown toenails in old people or those with circulation issues can lead to amputations. so fuck you if you think your health issue is more important than someone elses.
in a first come-first serve system thats exactly what happens. those who get through first, get the appointment. they dont save appointments for old people ffs.
and that comment about cancer was disgusting whoever made it.

didyouwritethe · 15/02/2016 16:12

Maybe all the patients seeking a GP appointment should be chucked into a gladiatorial pit and be left to kill each other?

GreatFuckability · 15/02/2016 16:12

To the people calling me selfish or entitled. I hope to god you don't ever find yourself suffering from MH problems, having that feeling that you are going to snap at any moment. Well actually part of me hopes you do and then maybe you might just get it

and i have plenty of my own MH issues. That doesn't mean my problems are more important than someone elses. you had to wait ONE morning. and you are carrying on like you've been done a dis-service and been massively rude at the same time. appalling.

hollinhurst84 · 15/02/2016 16:16

My doctors keep a couple of free appointments. I turned up at about 10.30am sobbing and they got me in for 11.15am
I genuinely didn't think I would get seen as they're usually packed out but she explained about them keeping s couple free